Kansas City, Mo. ? The beleaguered Kansas City Royals’ pitching staff, which already has four starters on the disabled list, will be without Darrell May for at least one start.

May, who left his Saturday start because of a strained muscle in the groin area, was scratched from his start today. Dennys Reyes will take May’s spot in the rotation and start against the Texas Rangers.

May said he felt some discomfort in the groin area while trying to throw in the bullpen Tuesday, which led to the club to scratching him.

“I don’t know,” May said when he would start again. “I’ll throw a bullpen Thursday and we’ll see.”

The Royals are still undecided on their Saturday starter at New York. If May has no setback in his bullpen session Thursday, he could start against the Yankees.

“We’ll have to wait and see how he throws Thursday and go from there,” Royals manager Tony Pena said.

Pena said the club had not decided who would start Saturday if May is unable to go.

The Royals placed Kevin Appier on the disabled list Saturday because of a strained right forearm and he is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Three other starting pitchers, Miguel Asencio, Kyle Snyder and Runelvys Hernandez, are out for the season after having surgeries.

Besides the pitchers, the Royals have shortstop Angel Berroa, the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year, and second baseman Desi Relaford on the disabled list.

Berroa is out because of a migraine headache, and Relaford pulled his left hamstring in the season opener.